Monarda hybrid Sugar Buzz® 'Rockin' Raspberry' PPAF

– Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

– A valuable pollinator plant in native and ornamental gardens

– Not typically attractive to deer or rabbits

– Bloom Time: Mid to late summer (typically July–August)

– Foliage: Spring through fall

– Dormancy: Winter dormant in cold climates

– Vibrant wildlife-friendly beds
– Summer border highlights
– Herbal gardens
– Containers and cut flower gardens

– Lance-shaped, medium green leaves

– Opposite leaf arrangement

– Strong minty fragrance when crushed

– Foliage is susceptible to powdery mildew, though the Sugar Buzz® series is more resistant than older cultivars

– Large, vibrant raspberry-purple flower clusters

– Blooms in tight domed heads approximately 2–3 inches across

– Long-lasting blooms from early to mid-summer

– Petals are tubular, perfect for hummingbird feeding

– Best Time to Plant: Spring or early fall

– Soil Preparation: Prefers rich, well-drained soil enriched with compost or organic matter

– Spacing: 18–24 inches apart to allow airflow and reduce mildew risk

– Planting Depth: Crown level with the soil surface

– Mulching: 2–3 inches of organic mulch helps retain moisture and suppress weeds

– Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering

– Cut back entire plant to 2–3 inches in late fall or early spring to rejuvenate growth

– Pinch back in spring before flowering to encourage bushiness if desired

– Prefers consistently moist but well-drained soil

– Water deeply once or twice a week; more often in extreme heat

– Avoid overhead watering to prevent powdery mildew

– Full Sun (6+ hours daily) for best flowering

– Tolerates part sun, but may become leggy and flower less profusely

– Flowers can be cut for fresh arrangements at peak bloom

– Leaves and flowers are edible and can be used in herbal teas

– Best harvested in the morning after dew dries but before full sun

– Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring

– Avoid over-fertilizing, as it may lead to excess foliage and fewer blooms

– Compost or organic mulch can also provide nutrients over time

– Pollinated by bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

– No cross-pollination required, as it's a vegetatively propagated cultivar

– Flower structure supports both nectar and pollen access

– Echinacea purpurea (Coneflower)

– Rudbeckia fulgida (Black-Eyed Susan)

– Salvia nemorosa

– Phlox paniculata

– Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)

– Liatris spicata

– Ornamental grasses like Panicum virgatum or Schizachyrium scoparium